Vivian Balakrishnan made the remarks during his visit to Japan on the 50 th anniversary of the two countries opening diplomatic relations.

Speaking in the Japanese capital of Tokyo, the Singaporean minister said that Japan and other regional stakeholders need to work together with ASEAN to advance regional peace, stability and prosperity.

He added that Singapore and Japan have an interest in maintaining the right of freedom of navigation and overflight.

Both countries have expressed concerns on China’s construction of artificial islands and outposts in the East Sea.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 26, Balakrishnan welcomed the implementation in March of Japan’s new security law, saying it will strengthen the Japan-US alliance, which is the pillar of peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said./.